A heartbroken runner. A relentless soccer star. A second chance that could cost them everything.
Cassidy Pittman thought she’d lost her mother, her future, and the track that once defined her. Three years later, she steps onto the campus of North Carolina A&M determined to start fresh, running toward a scholarship and away from her grief. But she never expected Kylo Blade, international soccer star with golden-hazel eyes and a reputation as unstoppable as his game, to crash into her carefully built walls.
What begins as a tense collision in an ice bath spirals into an all-consuming connection neither of them can ignore. But when tragedy strikes and secrets come to light, their love is tested by betrayal, dangerous obsessions, and a stalker who refuses to stay in the shadows.
With Kylo spiraling into darkness and Cassidy torn between her dreams and her heart, one question can love be strong enough to heal the deepest wounds, or will their story end as nothing more than a forgotten memory?
If you love passionate new adult romance filled with intensity, heartbreak, and the kind of love that refuses to let go, then dive into Wake Me today, and discover what it means to fight for love when the world tries to tear it apart.
Trice McIntyre is a rising voice in contemporary romance, known for stories that wrap you up in passion, humor, heartbreak, and all the beautiful chaos in between. Her characters don’t just fall in love, they stumble, leap, and crash into it, peeling back every messy, breathtaking layer until they find their happily ever after.
A proud graduate of South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, South Carolina, Trice earned her Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering Technology, because who says you can’t love both circuit boards and epic love stories? Her obsession with romance started early, sparked by a forgotten Harlequin novel she found tucked away at her grandmother’s house. (Was she too young to be reading it at ten? Definitely. Did it ignite a lifelong passion? Absolutely.)
When she’s not juggling wife, mom, daughter, sister, friend, Godi, work you’ll find her escaping into the world of writing, where imagination has no limits and peace feels just a page away. Through every story, Trice pours the best parts of herself onto the page, blending real-life causes and emotions into the heart of her novels always with a promise to champion the bigger fights worth believing in.
Just closed this book and I’m still sitting here smiling like I personally know these characters. 🥹
This story gave me Love & Basketball vibes in the best way possible — that slow, simmering, undeniable connection that builds through tension, growth, and timing. It wasn’t rushed. It wasn’t forced. It was a true slow burn that had me leaning in closer with every chapter. The kind of romance where you feel the chemistry before the characters even admit it to themselves.
I loved how unique their journey felt. Their connection wasn’t just cute — it was layered, emotional, and so intentional. Watching their bond develop had me completely captivated. By the end, I wasn’t just reading about them… I was rooting for them like they were real people in my life.
Now let me say this — I did not appreciate being left on a cliffhanger 😭 but also… I kind of love it! Because that just means there’s more story to tell, more moments to swoon over, and more depth to uncover with these characters. And if the next installment gives me even half of what this one did. I’m already seated.
The author did such a beautiful job detailing the emotions, the tension, the small in-between moments that make a romance unforgettable. It was heartfelt, well-paced, and left me smiling the entire time.
If you love slow burns, adorable chemistry, and romances that build instead of explode — this one deserves a spot on your shelf. I’m officially invested and counting down to the next book.
I am officially nursing a major "book hangover." For someone who doesn’t usually read for fun, I finished this in just seven days. Honestly, I spent every waking hour in between chapters just thinking about Kylo and Cassidy.
This isn't just a romance; it’s an absolute pulse-pounder. The chemistry between them was electric, and the emotional stakes were so high that I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. It captures that perfect mix of "what will happen next" tension and deep, adult longing that makes it impossible to stop turning the pages.
I am already checking for pre-order links for Part 2. I need to know what happens next for Kylo and Cassidy immediately! If you want a love story that actually makes your heart race, look no further. This book hits all the right spots.
I finished this novel in two days during a snowstorm and it was worth every lost hour of sleep. The love story reminded me of Kennedy Ryan’s work with the rare ability to make you fall in love with the characters as they fall in love with each other while the dual perspectives deepen the emotional pull between them. It’s equal parts heartache, mystery, and steam, with highs that make you cheer and lows that make you ache for them to keep fighting. The friendships feel raw and real, the kind that make you think about your own ride-or-die people. Each chapter left me needing to know what happened next and it absolutely did not disappoint. Now I’m counting the days until the next book to get back to my girl Cassidy!
I’m ready for book 2…. Soooo….. I love love love Black Romance novels - and now Trice is my new favorite author!
I love the stories where it’s not just a mushy love story. I love the mystery…suspense….against all odds…type of story and you have given all of that and more!
The cliff hangers throughout the book kept me reading it and wanting to read it. The Lupus storyline is so great and how it’s woven into every fiber of the main character and her family is also wonderful.
The way the author describe the characters….I can see them in my head.
Absolutely loved the book!! Once I picked it up, I could not put it down. Each chapter left me wanting more of Kylo and Cassidy. The way Cassidy cares for Kylo in the book is so sweet and really shows unconditional love. Kylo is every girl's dream man, not just because of his build, but in the way he cares so deeply for Cassidy. I can't wait to read the second book to know what happens next!!
Wake Me is a touching and satisfying love story that will resonate with readers who enjoy emotional, character-driven romances. It’s a great choice for fans of second-chance love, heartfelt storytelling, and romances that balance pain, hope, and healing.
I could not put this book down. It left me burning with desire. It is a true love story that evokes a conglomeration of emotions. I found myself yearning for more with each chapter. I can’t wait to find out what will happen next!
What a read! Such a beautiful blossoming romance with a splash of spice and trauma. I was not expecting the ending, but it definitely left me needing book 2 SOON!!!